The Cyber Intelligence Initiative at The Institute of World Politics (IWP) hosted its first Cyber Embassy Night in June 2018 and welcomed Mr. Rob Strayer as the keynote speaker. Mr. Strayer currently serves at the Department of State as the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Cyber, International Communications, and Information Policy.

After introductory remarks by IWP President and Founder Dr. John Lenczowski and Senior Vice President for Cyber Intelligence Dean Lane, Mr. Strayer spoke on American strategic efforts concerning cyberspace, collaboration between the U.S. and allies, and the importance of defining international cyber customs.

Ambassadors and other representatives from numerous North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Five Eyes nations attended to network and to learn about the increasing convergence between cyberspace and diplomacy. Ed Wilson, Retired U.S. Air Force Major General and current Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for Cyber Policy, is Mr. Strayer’s military counterpart and also participated in the event.

The discussion focused on joint efforts to develop cyber strategy and international customs when non-aligning states seek to disrupt a state’s normal operations. Mr. Strayer spoke of the multi-agency cooperation that created the American cyber strategy and intentions for continued international development.

In keeping with the spirit of collaboration of Cyber Embassy Night, Mr. Strayer emphasized how “important it is to have an office reaching out across the globe” and the need for a proactive strategy that keeps the internet the open place the United States built it to be.

Strayer highlighted the shared responsibilities required to keep the internet an open resource. He said America’s strategy seeks to better institutionalize “basic principles, basic norms, and basic state behaviors” regarding cyberspace. Strayer reminded the representatives of the deep relationship between the United States and their nations, noting that they are each other’s “digital trading partners.”

Following the lecture and question and answer session, participants stayed to mingle at a reception hosted by IWP. Leaders representing likeminded organizations also participated, including the College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC) at National Defense University (NDU), Military Cyber Professionals Association (MCPA), and Cyber Security Forum Initiative (CSFI).

IWP intends to host Cyber Embassy Night at least twice a year with the intent to aid the United States and its allies in building a shared understanding of cyberspace policy, threats, and capabilities.